Posted on January 04, 2006 at 17:11:19:
This is the year to buy a hybrid or a clean-fuel car. Buyers will get a tax credit between $250 and $1,000, depending on estimated fuel saving over the life of the car, plus up to $2,400 more based on fuel economy. But hurry! The credit will be phased out after the manufacturers sell 60,000 units, and some fuel-saving models have gone out at the rate of almost 15,000 a month. Remember that there are waiting lists for some of the cars.
More: The energy bill also offers a credit for installing solar hot-water heating, solar-generate electricity or fuel cells – 30 percent of costs, with credits capped at $2,000 each. The credit is available for second homes as well as principal residences – but not for pools and hot tubs.
There’s also a smaller credit for energy-saving home improvements: skylights, outside doors, windows, high-efficiency furnaces, water heater and central air conditioners put in this year and next.